Model Description

The distillation column controller has been tuned using Simulink® Design Optimization™. For more information, seedistillation_demo.mdlfrom Simulink Design Optimization.

The OPC server provides a random signal for the set-points, and for injecting an output disturbance on the process (see theOPC Readblocks, colored blue). The plant outputs are written back to the OPC server using the blueOPC Writeblock.

Running Simulink Models Faster Than Real-Time

Note how in this example runs the model at 300 times real-time, using the speedup factor in theOPC Configurationblock (colored orange). The distillation column model has very slow time constants (on the order of 20 minutes), and it is desirable to test the simulation at faster rates than real-time. By using the speedup factor, you can simulate 400 minutes in approximately 80 seconds. This model could be connected to an HMI or SCADA system to train operators in expected plant responses, or to validate the SCADA system against desired performance specifications.